Canadian flag causes flap in the U.S.

Ottawa Citizen | December 8, 2003 | Jack Aubry

[Yo-Yo]

Psst. Don't go to an American Hockey game. You might hear "Oh, Canada" sung after "The Star Bangled Banner." Oh yeah, don't look up at the rafters, either. You might see the Maple Leaf flying right next to Old Glory.

[Dr. Frank fan]

To explain more clearly why some of us are bothered by the article (actually, mostly I'm just amused ;-)

Because it is based on a lie.

The REALITY is that Americans in general don't care about Canada much, one way or the other.

The ARTICLE claims that Americans are "insecure", and "annoyed", and that there is some kind of "rift", with Canada. It claims that we Americans in general get annoyed if we see a Canadian sticker on a Canadian's luggage. (Based on one quote from some idiot.)

This is a load of crap. Who the heck cares what sticker they put on their luggage? I hadn't even noticed.

The article is laughable because it mistakes ignorance and apathy for annoyance and ill will.

Generally speaking, nobody here even cares about Canada.

[PeterPrinciple]

Canadians to travel with a maple leaf on their luggage...

I put an NRA bumper sticker on my luggage....it stands out in the crowd.

[albertabound]

Actually, I have been pleasantly surprised to see a much more conservative stance from the Citizen recently. This article is not really anti-American, just condescending, and further defines the need for eastern politicians to try to differentiate Canadians from Americans for political purposes. The left thrives on this sh*t.

[Broadside Joe]

"Some participants expressed a certain amount of annoyance at what is perceived as a systematic attempt by Canadians to make the statement that they are not Americans by sporting the maple leaf,"

I kind of like the warning LOL.

"This underscores the American sensitivity at feeling rejected by the rest of the world ...."

Not at all now we know who are real friends are.

"it's a wonder there is not a giant deck of cards out there with all our faces on it."

That could be arranged LOL.

"The report says even Americans who blame the Bush administration to some extent for the country's poor relations with the world, do not seem to understand why friendly countries and neighbours such as Canada would want to distance themselves from Americans."

It started long before Bush. And he even proves my point by separating 'friends' from neighbors 'such as Canada' LOL but hey I have an idea, LET'S CLOSE THE BOARDER AND SHUT DOWN ALL TRADE!


"What bugs me about Canadians, if I may, is that they wear that damn patch on their bags, the Canadian flag patch. That way, they differentiate themselves from us."

Again I appreciate the warning.


"Pierre Bechard, a spokesman for Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada, said Millward Brown Goldfarb was paid $49,543 for the October report and focus groups. He said the findings will act as a base for the consulates to work to understand how much Americans understand about Canada and how they feel about their relationship with their northern neighbours."

I could have saved you the 50 grand, then you could spend it on your military. That should pay for the next year.

[MattAMiller]

I suppose it's as potentially tacky as going around with an American flag in as much as one could over do either, but I'd never think to be particularly bothered by the Canadian flag.

[RightWingAtheist]

Um, I didn't intend anything in my post to be insulting; I'm sorry if it inadvarently did. I did want to point out, however, that the article does reinforce unfortunate stereotypes about Americans which too many of my countrymen hold. I use to post in on a Canadian science fiction board, and when I announced I was moving to the U.S., I got a lot of "wear your bulletproof vest" and "sorry to hear your moving to Bush Country" remarks.

[albertabound]

In all sincerity NO! I find Mercer and the rest of those idiots condescending and stupid. They do not like Albertans or Ralph either.

[Michael81Dus]

This is the newer version

This is the old one...

Funny, isn´t it?? Come on, gimme a smile?!! ;-) Which one fits your relation with Canada better?

NOTE TO ALL:

This is funny, even though it´s probably created by Leftists

We all deal with stereotypes, that´s what makes fun out.

[Michael81Dus]

ROFL, no, sorry you misunderstood me! My fault. I (not seriously) took your comment as an insult for Canadians. It´s the first time I hear that Canadians are nationalist or patriotic.

[Question_Assumptions]

Just make sure that in case of a terrorist act, that some of the Americans will tell the terrorists that those with Canadian flags are really CIA agents trying to slip past the terrorists the way they slipped some of the Americans out of Iran during the hostage crisis. If the Canadians think those flags will make them a special target of terrorists, they'll rip them off so fast you'll hear a sonic boom.

I don't mind Canadians having Canadian flags on their luggage because they are patriotic. I do have a problem with them displaying flags as a way of saying, "Please don't kill me, Mr. Terrorist. My country is more than willing to suck up to you and give you everything you want. Please kill a nasty American instead." That's even more gutless than the appeasement that encourages it.

[Hatteras]

"...I can't get over how much that maple leaf looks like a cartoon of two guys butting heads and shouting at each other."

It took me a few seconds but you're right, heh, heh, heh...

The maple leaf being the space between the two.

[Little Bill]

Thank God my mothers family found Jesus and headed South, Canada is not the same place it used to to be.

[Ronin]

Canada and Canadians are not relevant to anything in the world. If they want to believe this tripe, let them.

[Maelstrom]

Not quite.

Americans have no problem accepting Canadians.

However, my wife and I especially noted during our visit to Canada how we were made to feel very much like alien visitors from another nation.

You've been witness to American tolerance.

Canada really is a foreign nation.

[Redbob]

LOL!

Uh, this IS from The Onion, isn't it?

I mean, "boastful Canadians..."!!!

[Broadside Joe]

"Canadians wear the maple leaf abroad as both a sign of pride in our nation's accomplishments and to differentiate ourselves from Americans - not because we do not like Americans - just because we are Canadians."


In other words "rabidly nationalistic"